But the moment the words left Evangeline's mouth, her expression suddenly tensed.
Her fingertips brushed against the flaxen Snow Leopard Contract Pattern on her waist. The mark had grown so faint it was nearly gone, and it felt ice-cold to the touch, as if it were silently failing.
Evangeline's face darkened. Her fingers tightened. She couldn't even sense Lachlan's aura anymore.
Thorne noticed something was wrong, his chiseled face grim. "What's happened?"
Caden Albright also turned to look at her, his amber eyes falling to her waist. "The Snow Leopard Clan?"
Thorne's brow furrowed sharply. "Is it Lachlan? Is he in trouble?"
Evangeline didn't answer. She closed her eyes and focused, trying to feel the Contract Mark, but all she found was a deathly chill. Her eyes snapped open, her voice taut. "Lachlan's life force is fading. He's dying."
Thorne's dark green eyes contracted. "How can that be? Just the other day..."
